Police Bust Car Snatchers, Herbalist In Delta

BEVERLY HILLS, March 03, (THEWILL) - The Delta State Police Command on Monday paraded three suspected robbery gang members in Warri, the commercial hub of the state.

Police said they busted the gang alongside a herbalist who prepared native charms to fortify the suspects.

The state police spokesperson, Celestine Kalu, a deputy superintendent of police, said "a crack team of detectives" arrested the suspects along the busy Warri/Sapele Road.

Last week Monday, men of the state Police Command attached to the "B" Division Police Station in Warri also paraded a suspected armed robber who was killed along Giwa-Amu Road near Arubayi Junction by God's Grace Ministry in Warri.

Divisional Police Officer,CSP.
Garaje Gado said police officers under his station had taken down the suspected armed robber after a gun duel, alleging that the suspects numbering three had earlier robbed one Iyere Matthew of 156 Jakpa Road of his mini-laptop, phones and other valuables in his residence before they met their waterloo.

The police command spoke few weeks after some residents in the Warri metropolis accused police officers particularly policemen at the 'B' Division of indulging in 'unwholesome practices' targeted against residents.

The residents claimed that whenever the police needed to 'show they are working', they would turn to innocent residents, alleging that instead of assuring residents of security, the local police now instill "fear" on the people following their motive of 'showing result' before their boss.

But parading the suspects on Monday, the police spokesperson appealed to residents to always cooperate with the police and provide any useful information that could lead to arrest of criminals in the state.

DSP Kalu said the suspects had last Saturday disposed a woman at gun point of her Honda CRV with registration number Abuja: BZ115RSH.

One of the suspects was said to have escaped before police could get at them.

"Three men namely Johnson Samuel Rarire 'm' (driver), Ovinne Ikwweki 'M', and Garbar Mohammed 'M' were arrested with the vehicle", Kalu said.

"On interrogation, the suspects confessed to the armed robbery and previous armed robbery cases within Warri and its environs.

" "One of the suspects is on the run," she said adding police were doing everything possible to fish out the run away suspect.

"We wish to assure the public that we are working round the clock to ensure the maintenance of peace, order and security while calling on all good spirited individuals and groups to continue to assist security agents by giving useful information on criminals, their hideouts and their activities", the police image maker said.

Meanwhile, there was a dramatic twist to the identity of the suspected herbalist simply identified as Emmanuel America as he claimed to be chairman of Vigilante group in Owhawha Community in Ughelli South Local Government Area, denying his involvement in the robbery.

Though he allegedly agreed to have provided charms to fortify the suspects, he denied knowledge of the kind of activities they were involved in.

The other suspects also claimed the herbalist was not part of their gang saying he only provided charms for them throughout their robbery operations.

One double barrel gun with batch Nos FSa13276, three single barrels locally made guns, one dagger and various charms were recovered from the suspects.